Taishi Guang's Audience Hall - Nanjun

[ann]

Strategically located in the fertile, northern river lands of Changsha, the city of Nanjun would serve as the headquarters for the kingdom of Taishi Guang. Surrounded by green fields and pastures, the city was bustling with activity and life; a beacon of hope for those who wished to escape the turmoil that was engulfing the land.

In the center of the city stood the impressive administrative complex; home to the government and military establishments. A large, granite walled building bearing the flags of Taishi Guang's forces, dominated the complex. It was both his home and the center of his government. Soldiers were stationed on the walls that ringed the complex and various patrols could be seen protecting the grounds both day and night. Inside the administrative building, was a large, column lined room. At the end of it was a dais with a simple wooden throne. About 25 feet before the dais, the marble tiled floor stopped and became that of polished wood. Visitors were instructed to never cross past the end of the marble tiles, under any circumstances.

Those that wished to have an audience with the liege of the kingdom were instructed to come here to fulfill their request...

[ann]

Chi Bu sighed and stretched on her horse. She adjusted her pheasant feathers and looked at Long Dai her long time friend and sworn brother. Dai was stoic about everything and all of their struggles didn't seem to affect him at all. Bu was pleased, though, to see that he looked slightly better since she'd been encouraging him to take more time with his dress.

The two had been traveling together for many months and both were old, Long Dai was much older. Most people, however, took them to be much closer in age than they were and this bothered Bu's vanity. She comforted herself with the knowledge that she was still very beautiful. And, this was quite impressive given how hard her life had been since she had lost her family and all thier lands. Long Dai, who had been in her father's service, was all she had left of her former life. The two had traveled and gathered a force of men and were now searching for some security.

They had heard that the city of Nanzheng had chosen a new lord and that he had taken the city by summoning Qin loyalists. Things had been hard, Bu thought, under the Qin emperor but there had been a period of stability, however brief. She had lost all in the struggles after the first emperor's death. Perhaps this man would bring stability again.

When they reached the guards at the city gate, Chi Bu began to speak but Long Dai motioned her back and spoke himself.

"We've heard much of your new Lord, Taishi Guang, and have come to meet with him if that's possible."

[Nanjun Tiger]

Chi Bu sighed and stretched on her horse. She adjusted her pheasant feathers and looked at Long Dai her long time friend and sworn brother. Dai was stoic about everything and all of their struggles didn't seem to affect him at all. Bu was pleased, though, to see that he looked slightly better since she'd been encouraging him to take more time with his dress.

The two had been traveling together for many months and both were old, Long Dai was much older. Most people, however, took them to be much closer in age than they were and this bothered Bu's vanity. She comforted herself with the knowledge that she was still very beautiful. And, this was quite impressive given how hard her life had been since she had lost her family and all thier lands. Long Dai, who had been in her father's service, was all she had left of her former life. The two had traveled and gathered a force of men and were now searching for some security.

They had heard that the city of Nanzheng had chosen a new lord and that he had taken the city by summoning Qin loyalists. Things had been hard, Bu thought, under the Qin emperor but there had been a period of stability, however brief. She had lost all in the struggles after the first emperor's death. Perhaps this man would bring stability again.

When they reached the guards at the city gate, Chi Bu began to speak but Long Dai motioned her back and spoke himself.

"We've heard much of your new Lord, Taishi Guang, and have come to meet with him if that's possible."

The guards, veterans of the old regime's security forces, parted ways to allow a clear avenue for the couple to enter the walled complex. "Of course ma'am, sir, please follow me", one of the sentries replied.

Escorting them through a garden filled foyer, they then entered the main administrative building and then into a large, clolumn lined room. At the end of the room, on a dais, sat a man on a simple wooden throne. He appeared to be busy; reading a scroll as several robed men stood around him.

"When the Master calls for you to speak to him, approach, but do not come any closer than the end of the marble floor tiles", the guards stated, pointing to a spot about 25 feet before the dais. "Also, any aggressive action, such as reaching for your weapons, could result in a misunderstanding."

Leaving the couple, the guards approached the dais and briefly spoke with the man, who in turn nodded his head and motioned for the couple to come closer. "Please, please. Come speak with me. I am Taishi Guang, leader of the city of Nanjun. Please, tell me why you have come here today."

The guard stayed near his liege's side, keeping his eye closely on the visitors...

[ann]

Chi Bu glanced at Long Dai and raised her eyebrows slightly. A slight tightening in the corner of his mouth told her he shared her reaction. It was amusing to be considered so dangerous at their age! But, still, they were hale enough and probably could do some damage. Their weapons had not been taken, though many didn't recognize Bu's butcher knife as a weapon; instead they assumed she was going to various fairs and markets to make dumplings or something of that sort.

Bu let Long Dai speak first, it had come hard to him at first but he realized that his gender and age made him the apparent leader of their band. When they were called they stepped forward to the point in the floor indicated. Both bowed and then Long Dai said, "Lord Taishi, I am Long Dai and with me is the Lady Chi Bu. I have served her family all of my life yet we two are all that remains of her house. We have travelled far since that dark time and have gathered a small force. Though we are no longer young we have skills and seek some place to put those to use in the goal of bringing stability again to the land."

Such a long speech was difficult for Long Dai who generally preferred to remain quiet. When it was complete he took a deep breath and bowed again, not daring to look at Chi Bu to see her reaction. They had practiced enough on the way but still, she generally had some criticism and he would lose his nerve for the remainder of the conversation were he to read that criticism in her face.

[Nanjun Tiger]

"Please," Guang began as he walked towards the couple with his arms outstretched, "do not bow. I am not a man of nobility. Please, rise." Coming near, he looked at first Dong in the eyes, studying him, and then Chi Bu. He paused for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts in regard to the man's words.

"I share that same goal. I too wish to return the land to stability, prosperity and peace. There is nothing that I want more and that is why I have taken the steps I have to establish myself here in Nanjun." Giving a sigh, he folded his hands within the sleeves of his robe. "I am, however, in need of talented and dedicated individuals to lead my forces and govern my lands. Individuals that both I and the people can trust and depend on."

Turning his eyes to the woman, he studied her face, as if trying to read into her soul. "I can sense that you both are people of worth and honor, and I would be privileged if you both would enter into my service and aid me in restoring the glory of our land..."

[ann]

Chi Bu was greatly relieved by this reception. Her own family had been of the minor nobility but they had lost all in the intrigues of the court despite the fact that they had not been directly involved. And, indeed, she had been a younger daughter and her husband had not been especially powerful simply very talented and gentle; Bu stifled a sigh thinking about him. She was pleased that this Lord Taishi wasn't nobility - perhaps he would not be so prone to intrigue and needless bloodshed that went with it.

Long Dai visibly stopped himself from bowing again. He glanced at Chi Bu to guage her reaction and, judging well, said, "We would be honored to serve such a cause - it has been our hope to find a leader with your goals."

[Nanjun Tiger]

"Excellent", the leader of Nanjun responded as a smile came across his lips. "I am honored to have you both in my service."

Motioning to the nearby robed men, he continued. "Please, follow these servants to your new quarters and take the next few days to become aquainted to the city. If you need anything, do not hesitate to seek me out."

Chi Bu and Long Dai have been accepted in to Taishi Guang's service!

[Redd Raemiz]

A short, stocky man stumped up to Taishi Guang's Hall. He was hideously ugly, and had a patch over one eye, and a scar that ran across his forehead, past the eye, and across his cheek to where he was missing part of his ear.

With a growl, he glared at the officers and then spat out, "I'm here to talk to Taishi Guang. I'm a nobleman, I live in Changsha, and he appears to too. So here I am."

[Nanjun Tiger]

A short, stocky man stumped up to Taishi Guang's Hall. He was hideously ugly, and had a patch over one eye, and a scar that ran across his forehead, past the eye, and across his cheek to where he was missing part of his ear.

With a growl, he glared at the officers and then spat out, "I'm here to talk to Taishi Guang. I'm a nobleman, I live in Changsha, and he appears to too. So here I am."

The guards, at first shocked by the man's appearance, then his mannerisms, looked at each other in confusion. "Uh.. sure. Please follow me to the Audience Chamber", the head guard replied, trying not to look at the man's deformaties.

After a short walk through the city, the man is lead into the main audience chamber, while the guard announces their entry. At the announcement, a spear-weilding man sitting upon a wooden throne, perks up and smiles at the visitor. Leaving his spear to lean on the throne, he then briskly makes his way down the hall to greet the man.

"Master Pan Zhao... I believe I have heard your name before", the man says, giving a polite bow. "I am Taishi Guang. Tell me, what business do you bring before me today?"

[Redd Raemiz]

Pan Zhao grunts, "I am here because you're the power in Changsha, and I'm tired of being bothered by peasant scum bandits. My manor was put to the torch, my servants violated and killed, all while I was out fishing."

Pan grimaced. "It was quite a shock to come back. So I've got nothing now. You need me? I'm tough but fair, and soldiers and citizens usually do what I tell em. I'm also not bad at commanding missile units."